African violet plant

ABSTRACT

An African violet known by the cultivar name Maine and characterized by large, single star-shaped flowers white in color, with violet-blue centers; strong, upright flower stems each carrying 4-5 flowers, and small, relatively light green foliage having serrated edges, with the flowers appearing just above the foliage crown.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of AfricanViolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Maine. Maine, referred to in thebreeding and selection process by the numbers b 288/4 and 82/77, is aproduct of a planned breeding program. Maine is generally characterizedby its very large, star-shaped white flowers, with violet-blue centers,its short upright and erect flower stems, and the non-droppingcharacteristic of the flowers.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany. The female, or seedparent was an unpatented cultivar identified as BES I blue star (colorRHS 89-B). The male, or pollen parent was also unpatented and identifiedas XVIII 148 white star.

Maine was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by me in a controlled environment inIsselburg, Rhineland, Germany.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings and bydivision of shoots, as performed by me at Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany,has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany, under greenhouse conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Maine, which in combination distinguish thisAfrican violet as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Short, strong upright flower stems.

2. The flowers appear just above the crown of leaves.

3. 4-5 LARGE SINGLE, STAR-SHAPED FLOWERS ON ONE FLOWER STEM.

4. White flower color, with a relatively small area near the center ofthe flower being violet-blue.

5. Occasionally, some flowers contain more than five petals.

6. Small, relatively light green leaves having serrated edges.

The accompanying photograph drawing shows a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

In the description, color references are made to the Royal HorticulturalSociety color chart (RHS), 1966 edition, except where general colorterms of ordinary significance are obvious.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat. cv Maine.

Parentage:

Male parent.--XVIII148 white star.

Female parent.--BES I blue star (color RHS 89-B).

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division ofshoots.

Plant: From 7 cm. to 9 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately 22cm. in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: oblong. Diameter: 40-45 mm. Texture: very tender,slightly hairy. Aspect: borders are moderately to strongly serrated.Veins: very well pronounced. Color (upperside): relatively light green,137 D. Color (underside): 149 D. Petiole: light green, slightly hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: round, diameter 8-9 m., color 145 D. Sepals: five; 7-8mm. long, spear-shaped. Color: 144 B. Calyx: Flat, funnel-shaped.Aspect: Flower and receptacle are connected. Penduncle: Slightly hairy,erect.

Individual flowers.--Size: The flower is up to 60 mm. in diameter, withindividual petals being 23-25 mm. long and 22-23 mm. wide. Color:Upperside: 155D, middle of the flower, 92A. Underside: 155D. Borne: Theflower stems carry up to five single flowers. Shape: Five petals ofequal size, star-shape, with some flowers occasionally having more thanfive petals. Arrangement: Flowers are on strong, upright flower stems.Flowering time: 7-8 weeks after potting, the first flowers appear; after9-11 weeks, the plant is in full bloom.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: five in number. Anthers: 10 anthers,close together, color 7 A. Arrangement: The stamens have five shortstems and are arranged around the seed-bud. Some petals are joined tothe filament. Styles: color 87 A, 7-8 mm. long. Pollen color: 7C.

roots.--The young plants have well-developed root systems; young roottips are white, turning brownish when older.

Disease resistance.--No disease problems noticed to date.

General observations.--Maine has very large flowers which arestar-shaped and white in color, with violet-blue centers. Five petals ofequal size are normally present, although some flowers have even morepetals which are connected to the stems carrying the anthers. The flowerbuds are light green to yellowish white. The leaves are small andrelatively light green. When blooming for the first time, the plant has5-6 upright flower stems with 4-5 large single blossoms on shortpeduncles. The mature flowers do not drop.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet known by the cultivar name Maine and characterized by the combined characteristics of large, single star-shaped flowers white in color, with violet-blue centers; strong, upright flower stems each of which carries 4-5 flowers, and small, relatively light green foliage having serrated edges, with the flowers appearing just above the foliage crown. 